Bring along a flashlight for these night hikes in L.A.

Sure, you’ve driven up to Griffith Observatory at night, but have you ever taken a hike after twilight? Climb up the Mt. Lee Trail on the western edge of the rugged park to pop up behind the Hollywood Sign. Need a guide? Meet up with the local Sierra Club chapter near the merry-go-round on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for some serious conditioning (with an occasional post-hike potluck)—or on the Saturday closest to a full moon. Griffith Park stays open until 10pm nightly, which affords you quite a few hours of darkness in non-summer months.

Meet at 4730 Crystal Springs Dr (323-644-2050); Tue, Thu at 7pm; select Sat at 7pm.

A sign at the entrance to the Sam Merrill Trail declares “a quiet refuge for people and wildlife forever.” We’d gladly spend forever above the city lights on this mountain hike. It’s a strenuous 1,000-foot-plus ascent to the Echo Mountain House, but the vantage from way above the San Gabriel Valley is well worth it.

Enter at Lake Ave and E Loma Alta Dr, Altadena.

As coastal crowds bunch together on the beaches and piers for sunset, set out on this lush canyon climb instead. A bench at the top of the 1.35-mile trail is an ideal spot to watch the sun go down, fog roll in and calm lights turn on across the curve of the Santa Monica Bay.

Enter at 510 Los Liones Dr.

Just over on the Valley side of Coldwater Canyon, the nonprofit group TreePeople plants and cares for native and exotic trees across an idyllic 45-acre park. And one Friday a month, the group leads hour-long moonlight tours (7pm, $10) of its hillside trails.

Meet at 12601 Mulholland Dr, Beverly Hills.

The sole surviving pine tree after a 2007 fire, this gnarled landmark atop Cahuenga Peak has taken on an almost spiritual air—particularly during a serene sundown hike. Your reward for a huff-and-puff ascent? Sweeping views of the Valley below.

Enter at Wonder View Dr east of Lake Hollywood Dr.